Southwest Louisiana Gears Up for an Eventful Weekend of Music, Arts, and Community Gatherings, May 23-25, 2025
Lake Charles, Louisiana – Residents and visitors in Lake Charles and the broader Southwest Louisiana region can look forward to a dynamic weekend from Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25, 2025. The calendar is filled with a diverse array of activities, including outdoor concerts, cultural exhibitions, family-friendly events, and vibrant markets, promising something for nearly every interest.
View the full list of more than 30 events below the article.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, May 23, with several notable events. The popular Downtown at Sundown Concert Series returns to 1001 Ryan St. from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., offering free outdoor music. Community spirit will be on display at The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder for the Carry The Load SWLA event from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., an initiative that honors the nation’s heroes. Later in the evening, Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar will feature live music with Leroy Thomas from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and will also host “The Hottest DJ’s in Lake Charles” from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
Art enthusiasts have much to explore at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center. An opening reception for “Lake Area Music: Roots, Rhythms, and Resonance” is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The exhibit itself, along with “Caught Up,” “Joie de Vivre: Celebrating the Black Creole Heritage of Lake Charles,” and “The Heart of Spring” in the Artisan’s Gallery, will be open for viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery by the Lake within the historic center will also feature “Interpretations of Nature Through Lens and Pencil” during the same hours. For younger residents, the Epps Memorial Library, at its temporary location, will host “May Week 3: Teen Programs” at 4:30 p.m. Port Wonder will also be a place to find food trucks, adding to the culinary options. Live music continues at Rikenjaks Brewing Company from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., The Max Restaurant at The National from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Paul’s Rib Shack Barbecue starting at 6:00 p.m., and Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp with Paul Piazza from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 24, brings a fresh wave of activities. Music lovers can head to L’Auberge Casino Resort for Reggae Fest at Touloulou’s Beach, running from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., celebrating the rhythms of reggae music. Families can enjoy “Go Fly A Kite” at The Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana at Port Wonder from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Car enthusiasts can visit the Shucks Car Show at Shucks! from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For those seeking relaxation and wellness, “Yoga Under the Oak” will be held at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Library Riot crew will be celebrating their 3rd Anniversary featuring live music by JP Primeaux and the Business starting at 9 pm.
The Charlestown Farmers Market continues its Saturday tradition behind the 1911 Historic City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., offering local produce and goods. Panorama Music House will host a Pop Up Vendors Market from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a Zydeco Brunch featuring Zydecane from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar will feature live music with Dustin Ray from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and DJ entertainment from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Rikenjaks Brewing Company also offers live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 25, offers opportunities for continued engagement and enjoyment. The Calcasieu Parish Public Library system will present “May Week 4: Adult Programs” at various locations. Panorama Music House invites local talent and listeners to its Pajama Jam Open Mic from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Brunch options abound, with Rikenjaks hosting its Sunday Fun Day Zydeco Brunch with Zydecane from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Luna Bar & Grill Downtown and Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp will both offer Sunday Jazz Brunches, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. respectively. Rikenjaks will also have live music during its brunch (11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) and again in the evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This packed schedule highlights a weekend full of diverse cultural, recreational, and community-focused events across Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, catering to a wide range of tastes and age groups.
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Full List of Upcoming Events in Lake Charles & Southwest Louisiana
Friday, May 23, 2025
- Downtown at Sundown Concert Series
- Location: 1001 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Carry The Load SWLA
- Location: The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
- Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Live Music with Leroy Thomas
- Location: Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar
- Time: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- May Week 3: Teen Programs at the Library
- Location: Epps Memorial Library (Temporary Location)
- Time: 4:30 PM
- Opening Reception for Lake Area Music: Roots, Rhythms, and Resonance
- Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
- Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Caught Up (Exhibit)
- Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
- Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Interpretations of Nature Through Lens and Pencil (Exhibit)
- Location: Gallery by the Lake-Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center
- Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Joie de Vivre: Celebrating the Black Creole Heritage of Lake Charles (Exhibit)
- Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
- Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Lake Area Music: Roots, Rhythms, and Resonance (Exhibit)
- Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
- Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- The Heart of Spring (Exhibit)
- Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center-Artisan’s Gallery
- Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Food Trucks at Port Wonder
- Location: Port Wonder
- Live Music at Rikenjaks
- Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
- Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Live Music at The Max
- Location: The Max Restaurant at The National
- Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- May Live Music in #TheBackyard
- Location: Paul’s Rib Shack Barbecue
- Time: Starting 6:00 PM
- Paul Piazza @ Tia Juanita’s
- Location: Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
- Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- The Hottest DJ’s in Lake Charles
- Location: Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar
- Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Reggae Fest at Touloulou’s Beach
- Location: L’Auberge Casino Resort
- Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Go Fly A Kite
- Location: The Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana at Port Wonder
- Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Library Riot 3rd Anniversary featuring JP Primeaux and the Business
- Location: Library Riot in Lake Charles
- Time: Start at 9 pm
- Live Music with Dustin Ray
- Location: Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar
- Time: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Shucks Car Show
- Location: Shucks!
- Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Yoga Under the Oak
- Location: Imperial Calcasieu Museum
- Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Charlestown Farmers Market (Downtown)
- Location: Behind 1911 Historic City Hall
- Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Pop Up Vendors Market
- Location: Panorama Music House
- Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Zydeco Brunch featuring Zydecane
- Location: Panorama Music House
- Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Live Music at Rikenjaks
- Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
- Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- The Hottest DJ’s in Lake Charles
- Location: Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar
- Time: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Sunday, May 25, 2025
- May Week 4: Adult Programs at the Library
- Location: Various Locations (Calcasieu Parish Public Library system)
- Pajama Jam Open Mic at Panorama Music House
- Location: The Panorama Music House
- Time: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Sunday Fun Day Zydeco Brunch w/ Zydecane
- Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
- Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (Live music also 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM)
- Sunday Jazz Brunch at Luna Bar & Grill
- Location: Luna Bar & Grill Downtown
- Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday Jazz Brunch at Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
- Location: Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
- Time: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Live Music at Rikenjaks
- Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
- Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM & 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM